top of page

Although the construction of the Miller house was completed, Alexander Girard continued working with the Millers on their home and other projects the Millers were working on. 

Final.png

1958

"Log box for living room, log box metal liner, small clear glass ashtrays for living room marble tables." // "Remodel powder room lavatory hardware, gold and white centerpiece for dining room table, lazy Susan for dining room table." // "Cork vinyl tile for Muskoka." // "Base for Roman alabaster bowl, base for Roman mosaic."

Miller-House-interiors_0.png
Dinging Table.png

Jan. - Nov.

There were no letters found dated in 1959.

1960

"We have an excellent potter here in Santa Fe, and it has occurred to me you might like to have a set of pottery plates, and cups and saucers inscribed with the name of all your family." // "We have been advised the Dunbar Furniture Corp. of India that the sofa being made for Irwin Miller would be shipped out via motor freight by Sept. 23rd." // "As I mentioned to Xenia, I hope to have a design for the T.V. Area rug ready by early December." 

Tea Cup.png
Girard-rug_2.jpg
Final.png

Mar. - Dec.

1961

"Overall diameter of marble table top." // "We have ordered and sent the following: Saarinen armchair, Saarinen side chair from Knoll, La Fonda armchair, La Fonda side chair from Herman Miller." // "Would you Kindly advise us if Mrs. Miller received the shipment from Maurice Van Geuns?" // "New piano bench shipped from Santa Fe 6/8 by express." // "Navajo rug with X's - shipped express from Santa Fe." // "When last in New York I found a small antique French Mistletoe Chandelier. I thought you would like to hang this up for Christmas."

Dinging Table.png
kitchen.png
Final.png

Jan. - Dec.

1962

"The mechanical Mistletoe which arrived and has been installed in the house is a great success. In fact it is so attractive that we can't bear to take it down." // "We have just received notice that the curtains for Girls' room Not. 1,2, & 3 have been shipped to Columbus from Earnst LoNano." // "Also go and see T & O - 8 East 53rd Street. They are holding Moroccan textile piece I spoke to you about. It was the best thing we found on our trip."

Jan. - Dec.

1963

"Wire base for Eames chairs refinished. Herman Miller advises that they now have "cellulosic" finish which is a tough sprayed-on plastic in pure white. This is a far superior finish than the orginal painted one. Herman Miller will supply and install new bases. I recommend that this be done." // "Coffee table for T.V. area (den). Enclosed is a working drawing of the table base which we are having made for this table." // "Mrs. Miller would like to have 4 more Mexican Green Pottery candleholders." // "Attached is photo of the chair you saw in the Herman Miller showroom in NY. I suggest it be covered in natural tan leather." // "The onyx is no longer available. I propose to obtain another onyx, which I think is superior, and comes from a different source.

Final.png
Eames Chair.png
TV Table.png

Jan. - Nov.

1964

"I have received word from Carl Michaelson, Vice-President of Georg Jensen, that he has written you directly regarding the fact that they have ordered the 50 glasses, and that you may expect to receive them by the end of Feb." // "Mr. Treganowan would then offer the two Moroccan rugs for sale." // "I have sent you a sample of another type of hanging shade which I think is very handsome. If you like it we can order 2 more for you." // "Our first concern should be exploring rugs. These, as I mentioned to you in Columbus, should be determined as early as possible, so that all other building materials may be carefully related to them."

ththt.png
Final.png

Jan. - Dec.

1965

"Wallpaper for powder room: enclosed are 2 samples. one of which may be the same as originally used." // "I have ordered a Green Nativity for you, which should arrive in time for next Christmas." // "You were so good to us. I know not where to begin. The inspiration of the Girard house has projected Xenia into fury of creativity, and our house will be unrecognizable when you next see it." // "Under separate cover have sent you on approval 14 Greek and Turkish rugs, some of which I though might interest you for the farm." 

Feb. - Dec.

1966

"In case you wihs to visit Treganowan's when you are next in NY, they have moved to a new showroom." // "Under separate cover have sent you a grasshopper. It is an early American folk art piece, a weathervane, which I am told is very rare as there are only two other known examples." // "Irwin Miller owns several Herman Miller chairs, some of which are colored with naugahyde which needs replacing. It is very important that the light blue color of the nine chairs in the kitchen be matched exactly including the small checked pattern in the naugahyde cover. If possible, this replacement should be completed by the time of their return." // "Mean while I have sent you two 18th Century Chinese bronze drums you can use as tables on the terraces."

Final.png
kitchen chairs.png

Jan. - Oct.

Despite the missing letters from 1959, the collection that begins to develop helps the understanding of the uniqueness of the Miller's home and how personalization was highly important.

58

60

6162.jpg

61

62

Untitled-12.jpg

63

64

64.jpg
bottom of page